The Iconic BMW First M1: A Legendary Sports Car Heritage
Born from a vision to redefine performance, the BMW First M1 emerged in the 1970s as a pioneering masterpiece—blending cutting-edge engineering with raw driving thrill in a way that still captivates enthusiasts today.
The Birth of BMW’s First M1
Developed in collaboration with Lamborghini and led by visionary engineer Paul Rosche, the BMW M1 debuted in 1978 as the brand’s first mid-engine supercar. Designed for track dominance, it combined a powerful M88/2 V8 engine with a lightweight chassis, establishing a new standard in German performance engineering.
Engineering Excellence and Design
The M1 featured a revolutionary mid-mounted V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, and aerodynamic sculpting inspired by Formula 1. With only 453 units produced across two series, each M1 balanced handcrafted quality and track-ready precision, making it a rare collector’s treasure today.
Legacy and Influence
Though initially underappreciated, the M1’s influence endures. Its design language inspired future M models, while its performance ethos paved the way for iconic successors. Owning an M1 isn’t just owning a car—it’s embracing a milestone in automotive history.
The BMW First M1 remains a symbol of innovation and passion. From its debut to its modern revival, it continues to inspire with every curve, power, and legacy—proving this wasn’t just a car, but a revolution on four wheels.
The BMW M1 is the first car to be solely developed by BMW M and employs a 3,453 cc (3.5 L) M88/1 petrol straight-six engine with Kugelfischer - Bosch mechanical fuel injection and Magneti-Marelli ignition system. The engine was developed by Paul Rosche, who was also responsible for the S14 inline-four engine and the S70/2 V12 engine. Right from the start, the M1 was an ambitious project as it was the first vehicle designed by BMW Motorsport GmbH.
Originally, the plan was to use the race car in the German Racing Championship. Due to its long and complicated development time and a change to regulations, the BMW M1 finally appeared in the specially. The M1 arrived during a transformative period for the company, marking BMW's first and only mid.
BMW M1 1978 - 1981 When the BMW M1 was introduced in 1978 it was the first mid-engined BMW and went on to become one of the most iconic cars ever made. The M1 was created to be a racing car, and the road going version was necessary for homologation. BMW had hired Lamborghini to produce the cars, but numerous problems along the way forced BMW to take over the project completely.
Powered by BMW. The BMW M1 Offered Something Different To The Supercar Enthusiast There were plenty of excellent supercars around at the time, such as the Ferrari 308, but the M1 was very different on paper. From BASF and Jägermeister to Warhol and the "Ja zum Nürburgring" map car, the BMW M1 Procar wore iconic liveries.
Pick your favorite. The BMW M1 marked a lot of firsts for BMW as a company. Having established BMW Motorsport GmbH in 1972 under the guidance of Jochen Neerpasch, the success of their first projects; the BMW 3.0 CSL and the BMW 530MLE, led to the creation of BMW Motorsports first road-going production sports car, the M1.
Not only was it BMW Motorsports first production car, it was also the first mid. The BMW M1 was the first supercar created by BMW. The body was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, taking inspiration from the 1972 BMW Turbo show car.
Originally, BMW commissioned Lamborghini to work out the details of the car's chassis, assemble prototypes and manufacture the vehicles, but Lamborghini's financial position meant that BMW reassumed control over the project in April 1978, after. Most BMW fans recognize the M1 as the supercar that launched the marque's M brand. But few know the convoluted back story of how the M1 was designed and commercialized.
At Monterey Car Week, Broad Arrow Auctions sold a numbers-matching 1981 BMW M1 for $692,500. Learn how the M1 became a legend. Today, thirty years after the M1 was first shown to the public, it is considered one of the most legendary BMWs ever built, but its conception, construction and racing career were far from trouble free.
The M1 was very much the brainchild of BMW Motorsport's found Jochen Neerpasch.